By MARIO AGUIRRE | STAFF WRITER
Expectations were high entering this season, and understandably so, after Mercedes advanced to the Sweet 16 for the first time in the program’s history.
And with many returners back, including junior pitcher Dalilah Barrera, the reigning All-Valley Softball Player of the Year, the Lady Tigers (16-2) have flourished, landing the top spot in the 32-5A standings with an 8-1 record going into this weekend.
What’s more impressive is the wide margin by which Mercedes has put together wins. Six of their eight district victories, in fact, have ended prematurely, by way of mercy rule, including a seventh win that was just one run short of that — a 9-0 triumph over Edcouch-Elsa.
In all, the Lady Tigers have outscored their opponents 93-5 in nine district games this season, while shutting out six, including their first four to start the year.
Their only hiccup during that stretch was a 3-0 loss to PSJA High.
The Lady Tigers have an opportunity, though, to avenge that loss when they travel to take on PSJA High on Tuesday. Should Mercedes win, it would go a long way toward creating separation between the two top teams in 32-5A.
TURNING THINGS AROUND
Nicole Smedley’s coaching tenure at Rio Grande City can be broken up into three parts: the first three years in which she made the playoffs, the following three in which she didn’t, and now.
All indications are the Lady Rattlers (11-6, 6-2), tied for second place in District 31-5A, should wind up with a postseason berth. They beat Sharyland Pioneer on Tuesday to split the season series, and now from themselves in a two-way tie for the runner-up spot with four games left.
“Making the playoffs, that’s been our goal since Day 1,” Smedley said, “and I think we have the caliber of kids to make sure we do that.”
Most of the sophomores and juniors on the 16-player roster played varsity last year, when RGC finished seventh in district. The difference this year? Improved pitching from sophomore Anikah Castillo, who returns for her second season, and a burst in offense across the boards.
“I have girls 1 through 9 (in the lineup) who could hit the ball — not just 1 through 5 — and that’s been a big part of it,” Smedley said. “In key wins, it’s been my 8 or 9 batters who’ve scored runs, and that’s really helped.”
It’s part of a larger theme this season, with the Lady Rattlers gaining more confidence, from having taken their lumps this season to falling just one place shy of Edinburg Vela, the No. 1 ranked team by RGVSports.com, in the district standings.
“I’m so proud of them, that they’ve been able to come out and give it their all. I mean, every single game, rain or shine, we’re going strong every inning,” Smedley said. “That comes down to them. They have the right mentality. It’s, ‘Hey, ‘let’s not relax at any point, and let’s keep pushing through.’ That’s going to be the biggest goal right now, to make sure we don’t relax at any point the rest of the way.”
STAYING IN IT
At first, Edcouch-Elsa had aspirations of winning a district title. But for a variety of reasons, mainly youth, the Yellowjackets have shifted their focus to simply making the playoffs.
Beating Brownsville Porter on Tuesday kept alive those chances, with E-E staying (13-8, 4-5) in the No. 5 spot in District 32-5A with only five games remaining.
“In order for us to have a shot to contend for a playoff spot, we have to treat every game like a playoff scenario,” Yellowjackets coach Joey Palacios said. “If we do that, we’ll let the chips fall where they may.”
E-E entered this year with five freshmen, with four earning starting roles. And, as a result, Palacios says “the mental aspect” of the game has been their Achilles’ heel.
“Once we learn how to correct that and get stronger mentally, we’ll be fine,” Palacios said. “It’s like they say, it’s not how you start, but how you finish. And we’re looking to finish strong.”